Overview
ISO 9073-2:1995 - "Textiles - Test methods for nonwovens - Part 2: Determination of thickness" (second edition, 1995) specifies standardized methods to measure the thickness of normal and bulky nonwoven textiles under defined pressures. It cancels and replaces the 1989 edition and defines sampling, conditioning, apparatus, three test methods (A, B, C) and reporting requirements tailored to nonwoven materials.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Thickness measured as the distance between a reference plate and a parallel presser-foot under specified pressure.
- Sampling & conditioning: Sampling per ISO 186; conditioning in the standard atmosphere for testing per ISO 139.
- Apparatus for normal nonwovens (Clause 5.1):
- Two circular horizontal plates on a stand (presser-foot area ≈ 2 500 mm²).
- Reference plate diameter at least 50 mm larger than presser-foot.
- Measuring device with 0.01 mm graduations.
- Apparatus for bulky nonwovens (≤ 20 mm, Clause 5.2):
- Special lever/balance arrangement, presser-foot and reference plate; balance weight ≈ 2.05 g ± 0.05 g.
- Dial gauge reading to 0.1 mm; illumination/contact mechanism to signal correct pressure.
- Apparatus for bulky nonwovens (> 20 mm, Clause 5.3):
- 300 × 300 mm base, movable measuring bar with vertical probe and a 200 × 200 mm glass measuring plate (mass ~82 g ±2 g).
- Thickness read from a vertical scale (nearest 0.5 mm).
- Test methods:
- Method A - for normal nonwovens (uses apparatus 5.1; presser-foot pressure settings and measurement procedure defined).
- Method B - for bulky nonwovens with maximum thickness 20 mm (uses apparatus 5.2; dial-gauge read after 10 s).
- Method C - for bulky nonwovens > 20 mm (uses apparatus 5.3; measuring plate/probe read after 10 s).
- Results & reporting: Use 10 test pieces to calculate mean thickness and optionally coefficient of variation. Test report must identify the material, method used, conditioning atmosphere and any deviations.
Practical applications and users
ISO 9073-2 is used to ensure consistent, comparable thickness data across the nonwovens supply chain. Typical users:
- Quality control and testing laboratories
- Nonwoven manufacturers (hygiene, wipes, filtration, medical disposables, automotive interiors, bedding)
- Product development and R&D teams validating material specifications
- Procurement, specification writers and conformity assessors who require standardized thickness data for acceptance criteria
Benefits include repeatable measurement, clear acceptance criteria, and improved communication of material properties between suppliers and buyers.
Related standards
- ISO 139 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning/testing textiles
- ISO 186 - Sampling to determine average quality
- ISO 5084 - Determination of thickness of other textile products (reference)
- TAPPI T 74-05-11 - Additional procedure for variability investigation (referenced for more detailed within-batch variability studies)
Keywords: ISO 9073-2, nonwovens thickness, thickness determination, textile test methods, normal nonwovens, bulky nonwovens, presser-foot, conditioning, ISO 139, ISO 186.